Chapter 291: Chapter 290: Demanding an Explanation (Please Subscribe)
Headquarters.
In a peaceful room.
On the northern wall, there was a painting with the word "Zen" written in vigorous strokes.
Below the painting, there was a table with an incense burner on it. Sandalwood was burning inside the burner, releasing wisps of white smoke that carried a faint fragrance.
This was no ordinary sandalwood but calming incense. The scent it emitted after being lit could calm one’s mind and prevent them from going astray during meditation.
Additionally, it could speed up the flow of True Qi within martial artists, making it highly effective during their breath regulation.
Shi Tao was sitting cross-legged on a cushion, facing the incense burner, with his eyes closed and white mist rising from his head.
Ling Yu was seated behind him, also cross-legged, circulating his True Essence and absorbing the medicinal power of the True Qi Pill.
Suddenly, his eyelid twitched a few times.
Ling Yu slowly opened his eyes.
At that moment, his right eyelid twitched again.
"What’s going on?"
He frowned slightly. This was the first time he had encountered such a situation.
As the saying goes, "Left-eye twitching brings wealth; right-eye twitching brings disaster." His right eyelid kept twitching incessantly, indicating that something bad might happen to him soon?
This was quite puzzling.
It should be noted that the place he was currently at was one of the safest in Jiangnan City. So even if Jiangnan City fell, he would remain safe here. What disaster could be looming over him?
Thinking this, Ling Yu’s lips curled into a smile. All those old sayings about left-eye twitching wealth and right-eye twitching disaster were just outdated myths that only a fool would be unsettled by.
He raised his head to look at the painting in front of him and thought to himself, had Xiao Hong arrived in Anshan City?
From Jiangnan City to Anshan City was thousands of miles away, but with Xiao Hong’s abilities, he shouldn’t encounter any issues.
If he arrived, chances were he’d find the alchemist Chen Fan. A mere early-stage Meridian Refining Realm martial artist—wouldn’t it be easy to capture him?
Just make sure to find a private place upon returning. If word of this gets out, it would be problematic.
As long as confidentiality is maintained, he would have countless top-grade True Qi Pills to consume. His realm surpassing his master one day wouldn’t be impossible.
"What’s the matter? Distracted?"
At that moment, Shi Tao’s voice sounded.
Ling Yu was startled, hurriedly lowered his head, and honestly replied, "Master, I suddenly felt a bit irritable just now, so I opened my eyes to rest for a while."
"Is that so?"
Shi Tao opened his eyes at his words.
He then said slowly, "Circulating True Essence can be quite tedious. If you still can’t calm your mind, you might want to go for a walk to relax."
"Master, I have calmed myself now."
Ling Yu smiled.
"Alright."
Shi Tao nodded, not giving it much thought.
Even he would feel distracted during his seclusion occasionally, but over the years, as his spiritual power grew stronger, such occurrences had become rare.
"Master’s senses are indeed sharp."
Ling Yu closed his eyes, feeling a sense of relief while secretly being wary.
Having countless top-grade True Qi Pills after capturing Chen Fan would be a good thing, but it would also likely be noticed by the master, requiring caution.
As he was about to resume circulating his energy, a faint phone ringtone suddenly sounded in the peaceful room.
Both men opened their eyes simultaneously.
Shi Tao exhaled and stood up, walked to the table, and picked up the phone.
"Chang Fei?"
His pupils slightly dilated, pondering, could it be that Elder Tang and the others had quickly mastered the improved True Qi Pill refining technique?
Otherwise, why would Chang Fei contact him during his seclusion?
He answered the call and smiled, "Chang Fei, have Elder Tang and the others made progress in alchemy?"
"No,"
Chang Fei glanced at Chen Fan on the screen, took a deep breath, and said, "Chairman, I have some bad news to tell you next, and I hope you’ll be prepared."
Shi Tao’s expression changed slightly and said, "Alright, go ahead."
"Chairman, Ling Yu is currently by your side, right?"
"Yes, why?"
Shi Tao glanced at Ling Yu, who also looked puzzled.
Was Uncle Chang calling the master?
Did he mention me in the call? Otherwise, the master wouldn’t suddenly turn to look at me.
He was inexplicably uneasy, thinking of his right eyelid twitching earlier, wondering if it was a real sign of trouble approaching?
But he hadn’t done anything to offend anyone lately, mostly staying beside his master without leaving, so why trouble would find him?
Wait, could it be?
Ling Yu’s eyes widened. Was it Xiao Hong who ran into trouble?
No, it couldn’t be.
"Alright, Chairman, since Ling Yu is right next to you, you might want to put the phone on speaker so he can hear what I have to say."
Chang Fei said.
This matter needed to be clarified.
Otherwise, Chen Fan’s trust in the headquarters would drop to zero, and nothing could recover it.
"Gulp."
In the meeting room of Anshan City, Xiao Hong swallowed.
Ling Yu is there?
Then I might have to confront him soon?
If possible, he didn’t want things to come to this, but now he had no choice.
Sun Wei felt extremely nervous, with sweat covering his palms.
Chen Fan remained silent, quietly waiting.
After a moment, Shi Tao said, "Go ahead, what’s the matter?"
With those words, Xiao Hong breathed a sigh of relief.
Clearly, Shi Tao hadn’t agreed to Chang Fei’s request to put the phone on speaker for Ling Yu to hear.
Although inevitable, this situation could be delayed for a while.
Feeling bitter, Chang Fei glanced at Chen Fan and said, "Chairman, do you remember yesterday’s phone call about Brother Chen?"
"Yes, what’s the matter?"
"I mentioned that Brother Chen didn’t want to come to the headquarters, which we understood and didn’t force. But today, someone, using the headquarters’ name, broke into the Anshan City Branch and tried to forcibly abduct Brother Chen to privately make top-grade True Qi Pills for them."
"What!"
Shi Tao exclaimed.
The sound was so loud that the three people opposite the screen heard it clearly.
"Is it true?"
Shi Tao suddenly realized something and looked at Ling Yu behind him.
Combining Chang Fei asking him to put the phone on speaker for Ling Yu, it wasn’t hard to guess that what Chang Fei was saying had a lot to do with Ling Yu.
"Chairman, if possible, I wish this were false too."
Chang Fei sighed heavily, "But it isn’t. The person who broke into the Anshan City Branch was caught by Brother Chen on the spot."
"Who was it?"
Shi Tao’s tone turned cold, seemingly lowering the room’s temperature by ten degrees.
"Xiao, Hong."
Chang Fei said the two words.
Xiao Hong turned pale. Despite being immobilized, his hands and feet trembled uncontrollably.
It’s over.
Sweat continuously dripped from his face. This matter finally reached the President.
From now on, he’ll have no good outcomes.
"Xiao Hong?"
Shi Tao muttered the name, recalling his appearance.
When Ling Yu heard that name, his heart nearly jumped out of his mouth.
So, Xiao Hong failed?
Otherwise, why would Uncle Chang mention him now?
But how? Ling Yu was sweating profusely.
Even if Xiao Hong failed, he wouldn’t reveal his identity?
He was repeatedly reminded to keep his identity secret because once it was revealed, both he and Xiao Hong wouldn’t escape unscathed.
So even if he failed to abduct Chen Fan, he shouldn’t reveal his identity?
Most importantly, how did he fail? A mere early-stage Meridian Refining Realm martial artist who spent much time on alchemy, Xiao Hong couldn’t capture him?
"Yes, Chairman, Xiao Hong was caught by Brother Chen on the spot, immobilized, now in the meeting room of the Anshan City Branch. We’re having a video call. I asked him to describe the incident again."
Chang Fei sighed.
Shi Tao was silent for a moment and said, "No need; I roughly understand the situation. Xiao Hong is reckless and bold, acting outrageously,"
Treat this matter as you see fit. As for Xiao Hong, bring him to me; I’ll handle it."
Because Chang Fei had the phone on speaker, Shi Tao’s words were clearly heard by everyone present.
Xiao Hong breathed a sigh of relief.
Returning to headquarters was a great relief for him because the President seemed to suggest ending the matter here without confronting Ling Yu.
Sun Wei frowned.
The President means to end it here?
He nearly died, and Ling Yu’s involvement as the mastermind wasn’t mentioned.
But maybe this is the best outcome. To calm Brother Chen, the headquarters will surely offer many valuable items.
However, knowing Brother Chen, he wouldn’t let it go easily.
"President Shi, I think it’s better to hear Xiao Hong’s explanation."
Chen Fan’s voice suddenly rose.
Instantly, everyone on and off-screen fell silent.
Even Chang Fei broke out in a cold sweat.
Because he realized, Chen Fan insisted on an explanation, even if the President was on the other side.